Even global giants such as Microsoft and Coca Cola had to start small, so the ECHO Enterprise Champions Awards has modified its competition categories for the fourth year of the annual business honours, which recognise the best small companies in the region.

This year we have created two tiers for the most promising small business award.

The Micro Business of the Year, sponsored by the Liverpool ECHO, is open to firms with one to five staff.

It will be judged on the achievements of the business to date, both financial and non-financial.

Judges are seeking a business which has made a successful start and is considered to have the best chance of future growth.

Meanwhile, the Best Small Business, sponsored by Business Liverpool, will recognise outstanding companies in the six-100 employees range.

Again, judged on the achievements of the business to date, both financial and nonfinancial, the winning entry will be the small business considered the most successful in the region.

Factors considered will be its trading and growth to date and potential for the future, as well as any specific reasons behind the nomination.

Please note, neither of these awards are open to social enterprise/charitable/notforprofit businesses, although micro and small business candidates could also feature in the overall Enterprise Champion 2005 category.

Firms have between now and April 8 to submit their entries and winners of the six categories will be announced at a presentation night on June 15.

The Enterprise Champions Awards are in association with Alliance & Leicester Commercial Bank and supported by Business Link for Greater Merseyside.

Last year's final at the city's Tea Factory honoured Rodney Street-based Crystal Clear International as the Enterprise Champions' Best Small Business.

The cosmetics firm was set up in 1995 with only #15,000 backing but now exports to 15 countries and boasts global clients including A-list celebrities such as Madonna, Cindy Crawford and Victoria Beckham.